Book Info
In what year does the story begin?
1999
13. When Ollie told ZJ’s dad about kids asking what race he is, what did ZJ’s dad say?
"You're one hundred percent you!"
Who is the protagonist in Before The Ever After?
ZJ
Where do ZJ and his friends go when one of them needs support?
The Trail
What park would ZJ and his family go to?
a) central park
b) hershey park
Central Park
Who wrote Before The Ever After?
Jacqueline Woodson
8. ZJ shows shock over the changes in his father's personality, behavior, and recognition of his own son in the quote, "And then your eyes weren't your eyes anymore" (65).
This is an example of which literary term?
Metaphor
What does ZJ stand for?
Zachariah Jr
24. Why does the author, Jacqueline Woodson, use symbolism in Before the Ever After?
It helps the reader understand the complex changes in ZJ's and his dad's lives.
What instrument does ZJ's dad give him to learn how to play?
Guitar
In what format is this book written in?
Poems/Verse
When asked by a newscaster if his dad was his biggest hero, what was ZJ's response?
"No, my dad's just my dad."
What does ZJ’s father frequently call him?
Little Man
23. What does ZJ mean when he says his father looks smaller in the hospital?
His father seems weaker as he suffers from CTE.
What instrument did ZJ WANT to learn to play?
Drums
Why did Woodson write this book?
To spread awareness of CTE & teach history of football.
ZJ says in the poem "Migraine", "My daddy was a mountain, a football star, 223 pounds of tight end. My daddy was the world " (49).
This quote contains examples of which literary term?
Metaphor
At the end of the book ZJ's uncle calls him what?
Big man
7. Also, in the poem, "Maplewood", the boys fear that the new year could be the end of the world. Although they worry about it literally, midnight of 1999 is a symbol that represents something significant that happens in ZJ's life. What is the symbol representing?
The disastrous direction ZJ's life is heading because of his fathers condition.
What is the cause of the problems that Zachariah is having?
He hit his head so many times he has brain damage.
25. Which of the following is a suitable theme for Before the Ever After?
You need the support of family and friends to make it through the hard times.
6. In the poem, "Maplewood", the setting takes place on New Year's Eve, 1999.
ZJ and his friends are worried about the world ending or things changing drastically in the year 2000.
ZJ doesn't realize that instead of the world ending or things changing drastically globally, it is in his own home with his dad that things will be changing drastically.
What is this an example of?
Dramatic Irony
11. ZJ and his three friends (Darry, Ollie, and Daniel) refer to themselves as…
The Fantastic Four
How is music used as a symbol throughout the book?
It represents the unbreakable bond between ZJ & his dad.
19. How is ZJ’s dad described the morning after a game?
He is 223 pounds of pain.